BeTasseled

Did you see this?

2009-11-11T15:05:00.000-08:00

Nester made a big announcement yesterday HERE - she is putting together a Tassel Tutorial e-book. It looks like everyone is pretty excited about it! She is aiming for November 23rd, so keep checking her blog for more details!

Nester's Complete, Ultimate Guide to Making the Most Beautiful, Proportional, Fluffy and Full Tassels That People Will Fight Over; For You to Sell or Give Away

Happy Tasseling!

Heather

It's just a really good thing ...

2009-09-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

... when you have a blog to actually post once in a while! At least that's what I've heard! I'm glad no one waits with bated breath for Heather's next tassel inspiration ... there would be an awful lot of blue crafters wondering about!

I always get such a kick out of the new 'friends' who find this silly little tassel blog and are blessed by my Tassel Tutorials. I love your sweet comments - they just bless my heart. I'm so glad it's been a help! I hope you all are having tasseling up a storm and beautifying your little world one fabulous tassel at a time!

Me? Well ... it's not that I don't make tassels anymore - it's just that I never remember to take pictures of them before they head out the door as part of a gift or for the shoppe. I've not been shopping for tassel making stuff since May - how sad is that? When I say that I don't get out much, I'm not kidding! So, with such a limited selection of 'stuff on hand', inspiration is at a minimum! I guess, like with many of my crafting pursuits, I go through seasons, and last summer I was a tasseling fool! It was so much fun! This past summer, well, not so much tasseling. That's o.k. though.

It's too a long story, but fall is here and I am finally back into my crafting mode, when I have a spare bit of energy. Too rarely, I think. The garden is still giving us a wee few tomatoes, but essentially, it is ready to be put to bed for the winter, so I am indoors a bit more.

We are back to our home school schedule, and so I am sitting with handwork and a hot cup of tea as I work with the children, so that's quite enjoyable. Soon I'll be planting bulbs and planning for Christmas, and in just a few days our Dreamer has a birthday. All good things!

So, as you can see I really and truly took a picture of the tassel I made for Baby Hunter - for a family at our new church who have just been blessed with a sweet baby boy. I've written more about the rest of the gift over on my everyday blog. The tassel is green, red and chocolate brown, inspired by some Debbi Mumm fabric that I sewed some simple baby goodies with. Pop over and take a look, if you like!

Timely tassels!

2009-03-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

I thought it was about time that I actually posted something here!
I have such good intentions, but terrible follow through.
There has been so much annoying sickness at our house this winter,
but I think we are all on the mend now!

This was a cute Christmas ornament that I picked up for 75% off after Christmas - it just spoke 'tassel' to me! I actually bought 4 of them, and wished after I had thought to buy more! Oh well!
It isn't a working timepiece, but wouldn't it be neat if it was?

It turned out to be pretty large, but quite elegant!
My pictures are bad, as usual! The fringe is cream, gold and chocolate brown.
I hope it will sell well at out local shop!

This is also an ornament from the after Christmas sales - Hobby lobby, I think.
I attached a candle cup to the bottom so there would be room for fringe!
I added a bit of a crystal under the gold bow for a bit of glamor!

This one will also make it's way to the shop, where they are beautifully displayed and selling nicely.

Happy tasseling!
Heather

Tassel GiveAway!

2009-02-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

I'm celebrating 500 posts and my birthday today!

Please come by my everyday blog and
comment there for a chance
to win a sweet bird tassel!

Etsy Link

2009-01-02T16:44:00.000-08:00

Sorry about that - I thought I had included the link, but, alas - thankfully my sewing skills are better then my computer skills!

Just click on the picture and you'll be visiting our shop! thanks for your interest!

Etsy Announcement

2009-01-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

My friend and purse making partner, Mrs. M and I started an Etsy shop to sell our felted wool purses! The shop that sells them locally is really slow during January, so the owner is closing up and taking some time to renovate and rest! We thought this might be a good way to keep on selling our purses while we wait for the shop to re-open! She'll be featuring our 'spring line' of bright cheery spring purses when she re-opens!

So, it looks like it might be a while before I get back to tasseling! I'm still working on a source for some nicer trims - until than, I'm kind of at a stalemate! It's too fun to stop entirely, but for now, my crafting time will be spent at the sewing machine instead of the hot glue gun .... except for a couple of 'special orders'!

Dusting off my hot glue gun!

2008-12-01T18:41:00.001-08:00

My tassel making area is in the Grammy flat which has been occupied for the last month by my Mum! We like to give her her privacy in the evenings while she is here visiting! We wear her out during the day! I've been busy at the sewing machine or just falling into bed exhausted, so NO tasseling has gone on for the last month! Terrible, I know!

I am sorry for neglecting this little blog, but I promise to dust off my hot glue gun soon and make some pretties to show you all! I found some inspiration for tassels for my Christmas tree at Garden Ridge, but I have to yet to assemble the cast of characters and get the old glue gun fired up! I have 14 more purses to make and then I'll get back to other craft hobbies! My big sis says I'm crafting ADHD - too many interests and not enough time in the day to pursue them! If crafting paid well, I could maybe hire someone to clean up our home while I made more fun projects, but alas - cleaning ladies make way more than I do! I'd rather just give my things away than try to sell the anyways! It's way more fun!

I'll be back soon! Really! Well - I'll try!

Home again home again ....

2008-11-08T17:03:00.000-08:00

but no strength to jig!
Time to soak my feet and head for bed!

Read more about the show
at A Place of Quiet Rest

Show prep

2008-11-07T07:03:00.000-08:00

Woolly purses!

Sweet tassels!

Where did this week go!
Tomorrow is the show - I hope we'll do well!

See more purses on my everyday blog - A Place of Quiet Rest

Q & A

2008-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Just quickly, I thought I'd better get to answering some of your great questions! I'm sorry to have been ignoring you all, but such is life as you know, I'm sure!

Here goes:

From the Comments:

By the way, I was wondering if I could buy from you a tassel that is pink and black or a cottagy pink and robin egg blue? I like the one you did for your friend the one that's pink and black with a bird. What I'm looking for is something to put in my kitchen that is going to have blue and pink cottage colors and also birds nests. If you could come up with something I would love to purchase it! Thanks so much! Have a great day!

-Ruth Ann

vickyl99 said...
I would like to buy a few of your tassels. Where can I get them online? Do you have a website?
They are beautiful!

AndreaW123 said...
I love your tassels too....do you sell them? I love the one with the toile ribbon and the crystal ....

Thank you so much for your kind comments RuthAnn, Vickie and Andrea! You are all so sweet to want to buy my tassels! I do not have an Etsy store or a website because at this time in my life, e-commerce is not my thing. I have a chronic liver condition and opening a shop like that would just really add too much stress to my life! I am selling my tassels locally for now and at the craft fair next week, and after that I'll decide what to do with this unexpected hobby! I didn't mean to get addicted to tassel making ... no one warned me about how much fun it is until I was knee deep in trim and completely hooked!

An Email Question:

Hi!
I stumbled across your blog on how to make tassels and I am in heaven!! I cannot tell you how fabulous your tassels are and how appreciative I am of someone offering to share how to make them. I use your tassels as inspiration on how to create mine. Thank you, Thank you!

I was making my very first tassel last night and wanted to see if I could trouble you with a few questions.

**My fringe is the kind that is looped and when I cut my fringe to hot glue it, the loops came undone and were a hanging mess. They looked bad. How do I remedy this situation when I am using looped fringe? I ended up taping it on the first end and hot gluing the starting point of the fringe (where the tape is located) but when I get to the end, I have to cut it and that is the part I am struggling with. It starts to unravel on me.

**Also, do you overlay your fringe to cover the starting point? Or do you just let the two ends meet and hot glue there?

**Do your toppers hide the hot glue? I had to make some bows on my tassels to hide the hot glue on the top area. It looks good but I didn't realize how apparent the hot glue was!

Thanks in advance for your advice. I would love to see you post more tassel photos if you have them. I really use them as examples on how to make my own.

Have a blessed day!
Rose

My Reply:

I'm so glad the tutorial is helpful to you! That was my goal! I will be posting some new pictures soon, but we are in a season of illness with our children as well as getting ready for the craft show, and I just have not had much 'spare time'!

Those are some great questions! I'll try to make it clear for you, but feel free to ask again if I am not clear. We've been up all night with our asthmatic daughter, so my brain is not fully engaged!

1. I use hot glue to anchor trim that tends to unravel. I wrap the trim around where I want it without gluing first, and leave a bit for over lap and then I smear a bit of hot glue on the underside where I plan to cut. I let to cool before cutting - once I was impatient and it took me 10 minutes to un-gum my scissors! Once it is cut, I glue it on - both parts of the trim are secure and won't unravel.

2. I do overlay my fringe rather than butting the ends together - sometimes I go around twice and than I but the ends together for an even thickness.

3. Use as little hot glue as possible to do the job. If you are experiencing those strings or cobwebs, use a blow dryer (on hot) on the finished tassel and the cobwebs of glue will disappear. The final trim should hide the glue, but if you use as little as possible and just tack it here and there with glue, there is less to cover up!

I hope this helps!

Blessings,

Heather

I'm getting faster ...

2008-10-21T06:25:00.000-07:00

Tans, creams and black. I love the classic plaid ribbon.

A small tassel - the black and white fluff ball!

There is a sweet little crystal hanging from the bottom of this black and white toile tassel!

Hello! Boy what a sweet telephone! This one was super fun!

My driving instructor (25 years ago!!!) had a favorite saying - "First you get good .... then you get fast!" Well, since time is limited I am trying to 'get fast' with my tassel making. It's not as much fun, and I keep on burning myself with the hot glue gun, but I can make a simple tassel in 15 minutes now - that's 4 per hour! Yeah! Especially considering my first few tassels took 1-2 hours each! I don't recommend 'power tasseling' for long, perhaps 1 hour at a time!

Thank you all for your kind encouragement! I am so excited about the Craft Fair! I was dreaming about it last night! I have found 4 ornament hangers to hang the tassels on for display and in searching through my stash of fabric, I found a nice big piece of chocolate brown to cover the table with. Everything is going suspiciously well! Yeah!

Come over to A Place of Quiet Rest if you'd like to see the other goodies I am working on!

Taking the plunge!

2008-10-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

That's my apron hanging in the kitchen beside a tassel!

Well, I've done it now! I am officially participating in a local craft show! In 23 days!!!! I am really excited since this is one of the nicest shows in the area and it is very very well attended! I am hoping I'll sell a few tassels! I certainly appreciate all of your kind advice on my tassel story! I will need to get those printed up soon and attach them to the tassels.

I've not been feeling very well, but when I was able I was busy for the last couple of weeks on a project with my friend Mrs. M. She knitted a wonderful felted purse that everyone just loves. She wanted to make them out of pre-felted woolens to give as gifts and I have been developing the pattern for her. We've spent a lot of time tweaking the pattern and making prototypes and now her first one is made! We hope she'll have a few of them ready for the craft show in November! It's been fun, but now I've got to get busy on my own offerings for the craft booth.

So, for all of you who go to these kinds of shows, what do you like about the booths you actually purchase at? What do you hate about some craft vendors? What makes you feel welcome to browse and what makes you steer clear of the booth all together?

I'd love to know, because, as a rather shy soul, I have actually avoided certain booths at our local crafts fair simply because I felt intimidated by the owners. I HATE finding 'made in China' stickers when they are supposed to be hand crafted - and I get seriously disturbed when a vendor doesn't greet me with a warm smile and welcoming comment. The blank stare of death is a sure 'NO SALE' for this big chicken - even if the crafts are cute as a bug in a rug!

This craft fair is held in a church Sunday School Classroom - talk about a lack of atmosphere! We're going to have to be creative without dragging half the house to the booth! I think we will lay a foundation of basic black (or maybe chocolate brown?) cloth on the tables and elevate different items with boxes hidden under the cloth. I will have some cheap cloches on home made pedestals, a lamp or two and an old wooden handrail that I saw at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store to hang the tassels from. My home made business cards are chocolate brown and pink - maybe I should make that a basic theme?

We will have some woolen flower pins for either the purses or just on their own and I thought I'd bring my antique Judy and hang a scarf on her to display those. I have an eye on some old shutters at the Re- Store that I thought might be a nice background behind us for $5 each. I will only bring table display props that I am willing to sell because it drives me nuts to see something I like at a craft fair and see a NFS sign on it! My Judy will be the exception - maybe I should rethink taking her? She's my sewing helper when I make clothes for myself! Underneath is the skinny antique paper tape form that I would use for display!

So much to think about! It's been years since I did the craft fair thing! I couldn't get a full time job one summer during college and so my dad floated me a loan for 100 yards of good Russian muslin, set me up on the ping pong table in the basement and I went to work sewing those 80's floppy eared country bunnies. I made over 200 of them - special orders and all. I sold them at the craft fairs that fall and during Christmas break and it was really quite good for me. I had to talk to people and smile and make change - all at the same time! Quite a big deal for a painfully shy teenager!

So, I'll be popping in and out and might post a few pictures before I cart my tassels off to market, but I'm sorry if I'm more gone than here .... you understand, I'm sure!

Tassel Story

2008-10-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

I am truly not a business woman, so I have been seeking advice in the selling of my tassels and here is a tidbit that seems to have come from more then one source: my tassels need a 'story'.

Apparently, many women are picking up my tassels, commenting on how pretty they are and asking "what do you do with it?". They put them down without buying, and wander on to the next thing that catches their eye. Obviously, they have not been blogging in the right circles or they would know without question that The Nester has 20 places to hang her tassels and some funny suggestions about where not to hang them too!

So, I've written a story for my tassels, but I think it needs some editing, and that's where you come in! What can I cut out or say in less words to make this a better story for my cute little tassels? After all, they need to sell! There is more fringe to buy and more ribbon to procure .... and I've already spent way beyond my craft budget for 2008!

See what you think, and please .... I can take it if you hate it, just tell me sprinkled with a good dose of sweetness! I'm a shy soul, you know! And, thank you - you ALL are the most encouraging group of tasseling gals I've ever had the pleasure of knowing!

Just what are you holding in your hot little hand? Well, I call it a tassel, but a better name might be ‘a touch of pretty‘. Just what might you do with a tassel?
I encourage you to use your imagination, but here’s a few ideas to get you started. Tassels are perfectly suited for dressing up a lamp - either hang it from the finial or from the switch. They excel at tying back your drapes, and they can just as easily be draped over a door knob. You can place a tassel around a tall chunky candle holder to make it really special, or hang it on a cloche. Does your armoire need a little something? Tassel it! Tassels are lovely on bedposts and tassels fit very well on drawer pulls! I can’t think of too many places where you couldn’t use a tassel! Do you really need a tassel - no, of course not.
But, if you pass by it each day, and it brings you a little joy, wouldn’t that be just lovely? Try one for your own home, and maybe one for a really good friend too! You’ll be glad you did!
BeTasseled

The Source? Of course!

2008-10-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

I am more than happy to share my sources for tassel making supplies, but I shop very locally and can't say where you'll find the goodies in your area! The fun is in the hunt right?

I started with some trim that didn't work out from another project - but I quickly realized that one fringe tassels are just plain boring! I then scrounged around in my home dec trims and used up all of the bits and pieces from other projects. I knew I was saving that stuff for a good reason!

When I ran out of enough stuff to make anything pretty - I went to Hobby Lobby! They have 401 stores in 33 States, so hopefully there is one near you! They sell very nice trims and ribbons and have good sales and that great weekly online coupon. In the unfinished wood department you will find spools, dowel end caps, candle cups and small finials. Don't forget to check out the Christmas ornaments for crystals and great tassel tops - especially those cute dogs!

The wire thing was a hook from JoAnn's in their summer clearance for $.45.
I used the wire cutters to nip off the hook and shoved the remaining rough end into a candle cup,
slathered on the hot glue and proceeded to tassel it just like a regular candle cup!

Next I visited Crafts 2000 and found that their spool price on ribbon is fantastic, but they don't have very nice fringe. They do have the straight long cheap fringe and it makes a good 'base' layer for longer tassels. I found that their wooden spools, finials and candle cups are much cheaper then at Hobby Lobby. They have big long hot glue sticks in big packs for $3 - I use plenty of hot glue!

If you are looking for nice birds, the white resin ones can be had for $2 at Old Time Pottery. They have brown ones too, but they are all weird and textured very poorly, so if you want brown, craft paint is your friend! It's a bit of a drive for us, so I picked up 8 bird when we were there last. Yes, the cashier thought I was a bird collector!

My best fringe finds were at a wonderful upholstery shop called The Fabric Shack in Waynesville, OH! Trim heaven, I tell you! I only had about 30 minutes so I just picked and had the girl measure and cut - I came out with a tiny bag having spent $55!!!! My patient Historian was flabbergasted, but they were some lush trims, let me tell you! Check out your closest upholstery supply place and ask if they have great fringe and trims!

Don't think a second about picking up two or three roosters when you are visiting the Dollar Tree - if you are anything like me, you'll break a few trying to get that eyelet screw in! I found really cute vintage style telephones there too! It's good that they are only a $1. If you find that they are all as ugly as sin, remember that spray paint is fast and fun!

Lowes has great eyelet screws and they are pretty strong! I buy the two smallest sizes in packs of 10 for $.89. They also have a variety of larger wooden finials in two packs for $3 which just need priming and painting! I get my dowels for the dowel cap style finials at Lowes too, since the craft store seem to charge a whole lot more. A dowel through the middle hole of the ribbon spools keep my work area pretty tidy.

Are you familiar with the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store? It's a place where folks take home building supplies, new and used. I found some really old glass door knobs that are calling out to be tasseled there for $.25 each. You may have a similar store or an architectural salvage place in your hometown.

Michael's ribbon seemed a bit pricey to me until they directed my attention to the $1 spools. They had some very cute stuff lurking at the bottom of the bin, so do check it out.

I guess that is all of my source tips for now! I'll add more as I figure out where to find cute things, and I'd appreciate your input too! Where do you find tassel notions that make your heart go thumpity thump?

Happy tasseling!

Tassels in deeper hues

2008-09-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

I found this little scrollwork metal piece easy to work with - I just hot glued an upside down candle cup to the bottom and began tasseling!
Do you see the dangling crystal?
Too fun!

This big finial seemed to lend itself to being painted a rich chocolate brown!

I really messed up trying to get an eyelet into this sweet bird - so when all was said and done and the ribbon was fixed in place, I had some filling to do! I decided to paint it, and brown seemed a natural choice! It almost looks like a chocolate bird!

A friend is including some of my tassels in her booth at a local crafts fair this weekend and her request for a pink/white/black tassel prompted this sweet tassel!

Can you tell I was having too much fun?

I haven't hung up my glue gun!

2008-09-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

I've just been a bit too busy to tassel - and since Ike sort of re-arranged my crafting schedule, I am a bit shy of new things to show you! My tassels are doing well in our wonderful local shop, and in fact I have an order for more! I haven't taken the time to create any more - but, I have until Friday next, so hopefully that will be an easy deadline to meet! Hot glue guns need power, and we have it, but many of our friends and neighbors are still in the dark after the windstorm that swept through on Sunday. We have so much to be thankful for!

Susie Harris has been through some of the worst of Gus and Ike, but she is back to work - busy making some very lovely tassel creations, so do pay her a visit and peek at her inspiring work!

Hopefully, I'll be back soon with something pretty to show you- if I can find some batteries for the camera! At last check, the battery isle in our local store was sold out, but they should be getting more in soon!

Thanks for your understanding!

E-Commerce is just not my cup of tea!

2008-09-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Our Dreamer's Tassel - pretty in pink!

I have been so blessed by your kind comments and suggestions! Thank you all! I have thought long and hard about e-commerce and why it doesn't appeal to me, and I just wanted to let you know my thinking in this regard.

My dad has been a 'small business man' for as long as I can remember. He has had downtown store fronts in the past and currently runs a business from my parent's home. It's pretty much a one man operation - my Mum answers the phones, takes messages and gets the door but is not involved in anything else. Except the frustrations of rude customers - but that's another story!

Because of this experience, I have always felt that supporting our local small business people is where my first loyalty should be. I know how they struggle to compete with big box stores and chain operations - and now e-commerce has taken a huge chunk of the market as well. I'm not saying it's a bad thing at all - I occasionally shop on line and enjoy the ease of doing so very much. However, when I can, I shop in our hometown or the other little towns near our home first.

I love getting to know the business owners and watching their growth. I get really sad when a favorite store goes under. I know, for example, that Mrs. Toy Store loves to see us come in and marvels at how the children are growing. Shopping locally is connecting in a personal way.

So, e-commerce is not my cup of tea. I'll give the local stores my business first, and if things don't go well, I may reconsider. I once foolishly said I'd never sell online, but I'm learning already that I should be more flexible and pray for God's leading and direction before making up my mind!

There are already some fine fine tassels for sale on Etsy anyway! And no one likes to be called a copycat, right?

Mama the "Business Bear"

2008-09-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it! I sold my first tassels to a local shop this morning! I am so pleased. I priced the smaller ones at $15 and the larger ones at $18 - not enough to make much money on, but hey! I'm just trying to cover my ~~habit~~ hobby expenses, right?

Our children went with me to my first sales appointment - our first lesson in 'Commerce' for Social Studies this year. They were very respectful and well behaved. I love it when that happens!

They were rewarded with a few minutes in their favorite Toy Shop across the street. During the summer, the owner of the shop unexpectedly lost her husband of 27 years - he was 54. As soon as our son saw her, he gave her a hug and told her how sorry we were, and that we had been praying for her and her family. When we were leaving town the children decided it would be nice to give Mrs. Toy Shop a tassel, so we went back in and had her choose from those we had left. She picked a fluffy creamy one with little flowers dangling on thin creamy ribbons. She was really touched by their kindness!

Tassels may be a frivolous luxuary and completely unnecessary, but they can show love in a special way when given with kindness! I was so pleased with our children! So pleased!

Speaking of the children, we have two ~~hideous~~ unattractive light fixtures above the huge mirror in our kid's bathroom, but since we are not ready for a full renovation in there yet, we are keeping them! For now, we replaced the 60's globes with bubble glass shades and I dry brushed some creamy tan paint over the faded taupe surface to make it more sandy.

Recently, I made some 'lighthouse/' themed tassels to detract from the lights.
Just beachy? I hope so!

Momma Does Manly

2008-08-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

Our Storyteller is ALL BOY and that's why I was so surprised that he wanted a tassel for his room, however, when he explained that since Sister has one, he should too, I completely understood. It's that love thing - us Momma's have got to try to spread it on as evenly as possible, right? My first attempt at a boyish tassel was decidedly too girly and a bit on the fluffy side.

Last night I took some time out from ironing to make another tassel. I hung it up on the mirror in Storyteller's room. When he woke up this morning, he came out with bright bright eyes and an exclamation of delight!

"Momma! I opened my eyes and saw a beautiful tassel - it's perfect for a boy's room! I love it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!"

So, I guess the Momma does manly after all. Whew!

Sages, creams and a touch of gold!

2008-08-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

I am really liking this color combination! It's just calming - and a bit elegant.
Besides that, it matches almost every room in my house!
This one is for my sister's good friend, Mrs. L - if she likes it!

Tassel Tutorial

2008-08-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

Are you all set to begin making decorative tassels?

You know it's really fun, don't you? I'm sure I've given you fair warning
more then once, so please, please don't blame me if you become yet another statistic
in the annals of tassel making addiction!

I've only made one other tutorial, so please let me know if I am unclear,
or need to add something to make it easier for you!

You've already seen my crazy work space, now you're going to know what
I'm doing with all this stuff to make various tassels!
I started out with some bits of fringe that didn't work out from other projects,
and some leftover trims from past home decor sewing.
Now, I have 'tassels on the brain' and am always on the lookout for interesting trims and luxurious ribbons to make more.
They can be really expensive, but thankfully, you don't need much.
Let's get started!

First off, we need to assemble the cast of characters:
~ ribbons - various widths
~ fringe, pom poms, eyelash fringe - high grade upholstery trims if you can find them
~ wooden finials, candle cups, decorative birds or whatever suits your style
~ spray paint or craft paint and spray polyurethane
~ screw eyelet - small size, but not cheap-o since they will just break off
~ needle nose pliers, perhaps a hand saw
~ nice sharp scissors
~ your trusty hot glue gun and lots of glue sticks

Center an eyelet screw in the top of your wooden finial, or your decorative item and screw it in. If your fingers are weak, like mine, use the needle nose pliers - it really helps.
Alternatively, you could drill a small hole and use glue to attach a ribbon
or pull chain for a ceiling fan.
Hot glue might not hold up as well as a Liquid Nails type product in that case.

Try to match the size of your screw eyelet to the size of the finial you are using.
I think it should be small and unobtrusive, but heavy duty enough to hold.

Paint it up pretty - whatever suits you best.
Black spray paint seems to be really popular around blog land!

These wooden dowel end caps work well too - just cut (toolbox handsaw) a dowel that fits into 2" lengths and glue in place. You'll want to paint this up pretty too, naturally.

Now it's time to attach a pretty ribbon - slip it through the eyelet and tie neatly.
Fire up your hot glue gun because you are going to need it next!

Start by sorting your decorative trims and fringes by length.
Not the yardage length you have, but the 'hanging length' which is typically marked as 'width' on the trim bolts - I know, it's confusing.
Choose your longest fringe first, or if you like, just use 3-5" lengths of ribbon
- a variety is quite nice.
Begin by hot gluing your first ( longest) trim selection around the base of the finial,
dowel or decorative bird.
You can wrap it around as often as you like, but don't go overboard - this is just the first layer and won't be as noticeable as the subsequent layers.

This is just some cheap fringe, but it is 'swingy' and forms a nice base for the other trims.

Ribbon time! - just a dot of hot glue holds on your favorite ribbons!
You didn't burn yourself, did you? I hope not!

Add another layer of fringe here - your medium length choice - hot glue it on!
I really like the eyelash types,
but anything you like will be just fine!

Do you like loops??? Me too!
Cut 5-7 ( depending on the width of the ribbon and the diameter of the finial) pieces of ribbon - all the same length and glue the right side to the trim on the finial. When that glue is set, add another drop in the center of each ribbon.

Fold up the ribbons and voila! Loops!

Continue to add rows of shorter fringe, ribbons or pom poms!
Make it to suit your taste and use what you have on hand.
If you are not sure about something, hold it up and take a look - if it's pleasing, glue it on!
Stop when you get to the place you want to stop - just leave a bit of finial showing at the top!
You're done - you've made your first 'instructions by Heather' tassel!!
Wasn't that fun???
Do you want to make some more?
Well, do you?

Let's try one that starts out in life as a simple candle cup next.
You don't think a candle cup can be pretty? Trust me on this, o.k.?

First - turn that candle up upside down. Do you see a hole? If you don't, use a drill and make one smack dab in the middle, but all of the ones I have purchased have had a hole already.
Cut a 10-12" piece of pretty ribbon. I like to put the ends together, roll them up tightly and stuff them from the top down into the little hole, but however you do it, get it in there.
If it won't come all the way through for you, those needle nose pliers are handy
- just grab the ribbon and pull it gently through.
Now tie a knot and put a dab of hot glue on it - pull the knot back up into
the candle cup as far as the hole and let the glue set.

We're still starting with our longest fringe -and if you want to add some ribbons here, that would be pretty to! Beginning at one end, roll the fringe tightly - gluing as you go!
Please, please, please, don't burn your fingers here!

Make it just big enough to fit in your candle cup and cut away any excess.

Rim the cup with hot glue and place the top of fringe roll just inside,
so the fringe can move freely below the cup. Allow it to set.

Now, start adding your layers. Rows and rows of ribbons, fringes and trims!

This birdy tassel started life as a candle cup - really! I just put a wee hole in the nest, threaded the ribbon tie through and glued it all down!

This chocolate and blue tassel is also made using a candle cup!
You never would have guessed, right?

Have fun with it and before long, you'll be the proud maker of your second
'instructions by Heather' tassel!!

There are so many places on the web to go for tassel inspiration -
I'm quite sure your tassels will be fabulous!

Will you please let me know if you make a tassel?
Post a picture on your blog and come back here to tell me,
so I can come and see what you accomplished!

Thank you!

New Homes

2008-08-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

Two of my tassels have found new homes ... *sniff*! Actually, I love to give to others, and the ladies who attended our dinner last night seemed to quite enjoy being given a tassel to take home! I let them choose from my 'tassel tree' but only after they promised to ignore my very messy work area! I was telling them all about my new addiction and how much fun I am having making tassels. I think I properly issued a girlfriend warning - after I offered to teach them how to make them!!! I've never been in their homes, but they both found tassels that they thought would look nice with their decor! It was fun.

Afraid of tassels?

2008-08-22T11:57:00.001-07:00

One night I asked The Historian if he had gone out to the Grammy Flat to look at my newest tassel creation and he said, "No, I'm not going out there!". When I asked him why, he replied, "Those things scare me!". He's a grown man and fearlessly dons his robe to investigate weird noises in the middle of the night, but he is afraid of my tassels! Could it be he was joking?

Our son, The Storyteller, is unafraid of tassels - in fact he wants one for his room since Sister has one!
It's got to be manly though. This one wasn't quite manly enough, apparently.
I'll have to work on that.

Elise's Tassel Turtorial

2008-08-21T12:48:00.000-07:00

Pink and Chocolate Brown anyone? Our Dreamer loves this one!

Thanks to Christy and Rae, I found Elise's very fine Tassel Tutorial. She is doing things a bit differently then I am so I still many post my own soon, but her results are so beautiful, and I'm thinking that as long as the thing doesn't fall apart, it's all good!

Tassels others create

2008-08-21T08:11:00.001-07:00

See this wee birdie in a grass nest with cream and sage trims?
Doesn't she look content?

I did mention that making tassels is fun and just a bit addictive, didn't I? This morning I found some very lovely tassels at Susie Harris' blog. I could learn a lot from her! Susie's are for sale through her Etsy shop - she has some really pretty ones for fall.

Of course, my original inspiration for tasseling was The Nester - her Etsy shop is full of lovely tassels to inspire! She also sells hers at local shops, which is what I am hoping to do eventually.
Mostly, it's just fun to give them away to friends and family - and hang them up around our home!

I think we should start a club - or maybe a support group? We could take a page from AA and start our meetings with,

"Hello, my name is Heather and I've been tasselling non stop for three weeks."
Everyone says "Hello Heather".

Hmmm ...

On the left, sage and cranberry with ribbon roses.
On the right a dull golden top with sage and cream.

All creams and a smattering of gold - monochromatic bliss!

Sages and creams with some crystals for a bit of class.

Chocolate brown and robin's egg blue - one of those classic combinations!

Most of my tassels are 6-8 inches long, not including the ribbon tie on top.
If you want to look more closely, just click on the picture to enlarge!

Can you tell that I'm trying to get you interested in making tassels too?
A gal likes to have friends enjoying her addiction right along with her, right?

I just might have to show you how I'm making them with a simple tutorial, but I might not be doing it 'right' - if there is a right and wrong way ..... it's just too much fun!

Tassel Pictures

2008-08-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

I made this one for my friend Mrs. M with some fringe that didn't work out for another sewing project. It was so much fun, I just had to make more!

I made this green and cream one for our front entry way.

My sister asked me to make her two tassels for her family room - they turned out to match perfectly with her window treatments - which I had not seen!

This chocolate brown tassel hangs from our palm fan in our sun room! Sorry it is blurry, but I probably should have turned off the fan before taking the picture!
I'm not the best photographer!